Outcome based receiver beam tuning

ABSTRACT

An outcome-based receiver beam tuning is provided. A base station device can transmit a reference signal with a group of symbols corresponding to different transmit beams, while the reference signal instructs the user equipment to not perform receive beam sweeping. The user equipment device can report the transmit beam with the highest signal strength. The base station device can then transmit a reference signal using the transmit beam with the highest signal strength, while also informing the user equipment device to perform receive beam sweeping. By comparing the receive beam with the highest signal strength to the signal strength of the best transmit beam, the base station device can determine the density (e.g. periodicity) of CSI-RS with repetition “ON” transmission.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/366,297, filed Mar. 27, 2019, and entitled“OUTCOME BASED RECEIVER BEAM TUNING,” which applications claim furtherpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/738,609, filed onSep. 28, 2018 entitled “OUTCOME BASED RECEIVER BEAM TUNING.” Theentireties of each of the aforementioned applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of mobilecommunications and, for example, to outcome based receiver beam tuningin a next generation wireless network.

BACKGROUND

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) systems and systems that employ one or moreaspects of the specifications of the Fourth Generation (4G) standard forwireless communications will be extended to a Fifth Generation (5G)standard for wireless communications. Various challenges exist toprovide levels of service associated with forthcoming 5G and other nextgeneration network standards. For example, wireless network resourcescan be wasted by having a user equipment repeatedly perform receive beamsweeping that can sometimes provide little or no benefit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example message sequence chart in, accordance withvarious aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagrams of mobile device andnetwork node device performing outcome based receiver beam tuning, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 comprise a flow diagram showing example operations that abase station and user equipment can perform with respect to outcomebased receiver beam tuning, in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing example operations of a network devicethat controls a user equipment to obtain information used for outcomebased receiver beam tuning, in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates example operations a network device for performingoutcome-based receiver beam tuning, in accordance with various aspectsand embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing example operations for outcome-basedreceiver beam tuning, in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of a non-limiting embodimentof a mobile network platform in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an example userequipment that can be a mobile handset in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer that can beoperable to execute processes and methods in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards anoutcome-based receiver beam tuning technology. In one aspect, a basestation device can transmit a reference signal with a group of symbolscorresponding to different transmit beams, in which the reference signalinstructs a user equipment (UE) to not perform receive beam sweeping.The user equipment device can report the transmit beam with the highestsignals strength. The base station device can then transmit anotherreference signal using that transmit beam with the highest signalstrength, while also informing the user equipment device to performreceive beam sweeping, and report the results. By comparing the receivebeam with the highest signal strength to the signal strength of the besttransmit beam, the base station device can determine the density (e.g.,periodicity) of CSI-RS with repetition “ON” transmission, (where CSI-RSrefers to “channel state information reference signal,” which is used bya user equipment to estimate the channel and report channel qualityinformation (CQI) to the base station device). In general, the poorerthe channel quality, the greater the density of channel stateinformation reference signals (up to some maximum number of resourceelements in the resource block), and conversely the better the channelquality, the lesser the density of channel state information referencesignals in the resource block.

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can comprise a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (ormachine-readable) storage/communications media. For example, computerreadable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, magneticstorage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), opticaldisks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smartcards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications canbe made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spiritof the various embodiments.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“communication device,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representingsimilar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or mobile device of a wireless communication service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),”BS transceiver, BS device, cell site, cell site device, “gNode B (gNB),”“evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that transmits and/or receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “device,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “subscriber,” “customer entity,” “consumer,” “customer entity,”“entity” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA),Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacytelecommunication technologies.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term radio network node or simplynetwork node is used. It refers to any type of network node that servesUE and/or connected to other network node or network element or anyradio node from where UE receives signal. Examples of radio networknodes are Node B, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) nodesuch as MSR BS, eNode B, network controller, radio network controller(RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controllingrelay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmissionpoints, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antennasystem (DAS) etc.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) is used.It refers to any type of wireless device that communicates with a radionetwork node in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples ofUE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UEcapable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobileterminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mountedequipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

The embodiments are described in particular for NR. The embodiments arehowever applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT system where the UE operatesusing multiple carriers e.g. LTE FDD/TDD, GSM/GERAN, Wi-Fi, WLAN, WiMax,CDMA2000 etc.

The embodiments are applicable to single carrier as well as tomulticarrier (MC) or carrier aggregation (CA) operation of the UE. Theterm carrier aggregation (CA) is also called (e.g. interchangeablycalled) “multi-carrier system”, “multi-cell operation”, “multi-carrieroperation”, “multi-carrier” transmission and/or reception.

Note that the embodiments disclosed herein apply equally for Multi RAB(radio bearers) on some carriers (that is data plus speech issimultaneously scheduled).

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, system 100 can comprise one ormore user equipments (UEs) 102(1)-102(n), each of which can have one ormore antenna panels having vertical and horizontal elements, forexample. A UE such as the UE 102(1) can be a mobile device such as acellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, avirtual reality (VR) device, a heads-up display (HUD) device, a smartcar, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, and the like. The UE102(1) can also refer to any type of wireless device that communicateswith a radio network node in a cellular or mobile communication system.Examples of user equipments are target device, device to device (D2D)UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M)communication, PDA, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptopembedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB donglesetc. A user equipment such as the UE 102(1) can also comprise IoTdevices that communicate wirelessly. In various embodiments, system 100is or comprises a wireless communication network serviced by one or morewireless communication network providers.

In example embodiments, a UE such as the UE 102(1) can becommunicatively coupled via a network node/device 104 to a wirelesscommunication network, e.g., a communication service provider network(s)106 via a suitable communications link 108.

The non-limiting term network node (or radio network node) is usedherein to refer to any type of network node/network device 104 servingthe one or more user equipments (UEs) 102(1)-102(n) and/or connected toother network node, network element, or another network node from whichthe one or more user equipments (UEs) 102(1)-102(n) can receive a radiosignal. Network nodes can also have multiple antennas for performingvarious transmission operations (e.g., MIMO operations). A network nodecan have a cabinet and other protected enclosures, an antenna mast, andactual antennas. Network nodes can serve several cells, also calledsectors, depending on the configuration and type of antenna. Examples ofnetwork nodes (e.g., network device 104) can comprise but are notlimited to: NodeB devices, base station (BS) devices, access point (AP)devices, and radio access network (RAN) devices. The network node canalso comprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node devices, includingbut not limited to: an MSR BS, an eNode B, a network controller, a radionetwork controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, adonor node controlling relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), atransmission point, a transmission node, an RRU, an RRH, nodes indistributed antenna system (DAS), and the like. In 5G terminology, thenetwork node can be referred to as a gNodeB device.

The wireless communication system 100 can employ various cellulartechnologies and modulation schemes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices (e.g., the UEs 102(1)-102(n) and thenetwork device 104). For example, system 100 can operate in accordancewith a UMTS, long term evolution (LTE), high speed packet access (HSPA),code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access(TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), multi-carrier codedivision multiple access (MC-CDMA), single-carrier code divisionmultiple access (SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), OFDM,(DFT)-spread OFDM or SC-FDMA)), FBMC, ZT DFT-s-OFDM, GFDM, UFMC, UWDFT-Spread-OFDM, UW-OFDM, CP-OFDM, resource-block-filtered OFDM, andUFMC. However, various features and functionalities of system 100 areparticularly described wherein the nodes/devices (e.g., the UEs102(1)-102(n) and the network device 104) of system 100 are configuredto communicate wireless signals using one or more multi carriermodulation schemes, wherein data symbols can be transmittedsimultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g., OFDM, CP-OFDM,DFT-spread OFDM, UFMC, FMBC, etc.).

In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. 5G wirelesscommunication networks are expected to fulfill the demand ofexponentially increasing data traffic and to allow people and machinesto enjoy gigabit data rates with virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G,5G supports more diverse traffic scenarios. For example, in addition tothe various types of data communication between conventional UEs (e.g.,phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabledtelevisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be employedto support data communication between smart cars in association withdriverless car environments, as well as machine type communications(MTCs).

In an embodiment, the network node device 104 can enable outcome basedreceiver beam tuning. Traditionally, receiving beam tuning is introducedto assist UE to sweep its receiver beam and find the best one. Thegeneral procedure is that network can configure CSI-RS resource withrepetition “ON”. The same CSI-RS transmission is repeated for severalOFDM symbols, whereby the UE can use different Rx beam to receive thesame signal.

Receiver beam management is generally implemented by the UE. In otherwords, how the UE sweeps its receiver beam is fully up to a given UEimplementation, and thus different chipset vendors may have differentproprietary algorithms of receiver beam sweeping. Such principle isbased on the idea that the UE is self-motivated to find the best beam;however, this is difficult for the network to implement, as the basestation device has to remain in repetition “ON” mode, with the CSI-RSbeing continually transmitted, using a large amount of resources. The UEmay skip sweeping the receiver beam from time to time, but the networkmay continue the transmit sweeping, wasting resources. To overcome thischallenge, described herein is a way in which the network can control(to an extent) how a UE performs receiver beam sweeping in order toreduce the resources used to perform beam tuning.

In general, the technology described herein mandates a UE to report theoutcome, e.g. RSRP (reference signal receive power), of receiver beamtuning, while still leaving the details of the receiving UE's tuningalgorithm as proprietary. As represented in FIG. 1, the network device104 transmits a first reference signal 110 comprising a group of symbolsto a user equipment device, e.g., the UE 102(1), in which respectivesymbols of the group of symbols correspond to respective transmit beams,and the first reference signal indicates to the user equipment device102(1) to not to perform receive beam sweeping. Based on the firstreference signal, the UE device 102(1) sends a first measurement report111 that is received by the network device 104, identifying a transmitbeam of the respective transmit beams that has at least a first (e.g.,the best) threshold signal strength. Subsequently, the network device104 transmits a second reference signal 112 comprising a group ofsymbols corresponding to the identified transmit beam, in which thesecond reference signal indicates to the user equipment device toperform the receive beam sweeping. Based on the second reference signal,the UE device 102(1) sends a second measurement report 113 that isreceived by the network device 104 that identifies another receive beamthat has at least a second (e.g., the best) threshold signal strength ofreceive beams swept by the user equipment device.

By comparing the first RSRP (before receiver beam tuning) in the report111 with the second RSRP (after receiver beam tuning) in the report 113,the network device 104 can determine the effectiveness of the receiverbeam tuning that the UE 102(1) performed. The network device 104 canthus determine the worth of configuring more CSI-RS to assist UE'sreceiver beam tuning, that is, the network device 104 can set thedensity of CSI-RS based on the effectiveness of the receiver beam tuningthat the UE performed.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example message sequence chart200 in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

In an embodiment, a GNB 204 (corresponding to the network device 104 ofFIG. 1) can transmit a first reference signal to a UE 202, asrepresented by the arrow labeled 206. The first reference signal cancomprise a group of symbols each corresponding to a different transmitbeam; the first reference signal also can comprise a first indication tothe user equipment device to not perform receive beam sweeping.

As represented by the arrow labeled 208, the UE 202 can transmit a firstmeasurement report from the user equipment device identifying a firsttransmit beam of the respective transmit beams, e.g., the transmit beamthat has a highest signal strength relative to the others.

As represented by the arrow labeled 210, the GNB 204 can transmit asecond reference signal comprising a group of symbols corresponding tothe first transmit beam, in which the second reference signal comprisesa second indication to the user equipment device to perform receive beamsweeping. The UE 202 thus performs the receive beam sweeping, and thusgenerates a second measurement report.

As represented by the arrow labeled 212, the UE 202 transmits the secondmeasurement report from the user equipment device identifying a receivebeam that has a highest signal strength of the receive beams swept bythe user equipment device. As described herein, the GNB 204 can analyze(block 214) the measurement reports/transmit beam (first) versus receivebeam (second report) relative signal strengths to determine whether thebeam sweeping by the UE 202 was effective in increasing the signalstrength/RSRP. The GNB 204 can thus select a CSI-RS density based on theresults.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a mobile device 302 andnetwork node device 304 performing outcome-based receiver beam tuning inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In FIG. 3, the network node device 304 sends a referencesignal 306 comprising a number of symbols corresponding to differenttransmit beams to UE 302. The reference signal 306 can comprise a groupof symbols each corresponding to a different transmit beam and the firstreference signal 306 can comprise a first indication to the userequipment device to not perform receive beam sweeping. The UE 302responds with a first measurement report as described herein (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 3).

The network node 304 can then send a second reference signal 308comprising a group of symbols corresponding to the first transmit beam,and wherein the second reference signal comprises a second indication tothe user equipment device 302 to perform receive beam sweeping. The UE302 responds with a second measurement report as described herein (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 3).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show example operations of implementations of thetechnology described herein. At operation 402, a network node devicecomprising a base station configures a channel state informationreference signal (CSI-RS) with repetition “OFF” for transmit (Tx) beamsweeping by a user equipment (UE). At operation 403, the user equipmentmeasures the CSI-RS, and sends an RSRP report of the best transmit beamback to the base station, which is received at operation 404. Thereported RSRP is based on (conditioned to) the user equipment notperforming any receive beam sweeping.

As represented by operation 406, the base station further configures aCSI-RS with repetition “ON” to assist the user equipment receive (Rx)beam sweeping. The precoding of this CSI-RS transmission may follow thebest beam reported by the user equipment at operation 404.

As represented by operation 407, the user equipment sweeps a receivebeam on each OFDM symbol on which CSI-RS with repetition “ON” istransmitted. At operation 409, the user equipment compares the RSRPoutcome of every receive beam the user equipment has swept to find thebest receive beam. At operation 4011, the user equipment reports theRSRP based on the best receive beam back to the base station

The base station receives the report at operation 412. The process thencontinues at operation 502 of FIG. 5.

As represented by operation 502, after receiving the best receive beamreport at operation 412 of FIG. 4, the base station compares the bestreceive beam RSRP with the RSRP received in Tx beam sweeping (atoperation 406 of FIG. 4). The base station thus can determine thedensity (e.g. periodicity) of CSI-RS with repetition “ON” transmission.In particular, as represented by operation 504, the base station canconsider the effectiveness, e.g. the change/incremental improvement, ifany, of the first RSRP (before receiver beam tuning) relative to thesecond RSRP (after receiver beam tuning/receiver beam sweeping) todetermine the periodicity of future Rx beam sweeping procedure(s).

Note that as represented by operation 506, the base station optionallycan also consider other factors such as Quality of Service (of activePDP contexts e.g.), buffer statuses, and so forth to determine theperiodicity of CSI-RS for future receive beam sweeping procedure(s).

Further, as represented by operation 508, in an operationaloperation/alternative implementation, the base station can use theoutcome of the receive beam sweeping, e.g. RSRP, to determine for howmany OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) symbols toconfigure NZP-CSI-RS (non-zero power-channel state information-referencesignal) resource set with a higher layer repetition parameter set to“ON”) to perform receive beam sweeping, given a certain hierarchicalstructure or a grouping of beams at the receiver. The RSRP report can beused as an indication of the effectiveness of a certain subgroup ofreceive beams in achieving transmit/receive alignment.

One or more aspects, such as those implemented in example operations ofa method, are shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure. Operation 602 representsinstructing, by a network device comprising a processor, a userequipment device to perform transmit beam sweeping on respectivetransmit beams, and report first information to the network device, thefirst information identifying a first transmit beam of the respectivetransmit beams that has a highest transmit beam signal strength based onthe transmit beam sweeping, and a first signal strength value of thefirst transmit beam. Operation 604 represents receiving, by the networkdevice, the first information from the user equipment device. Operation606 represents instructing, by the network device, the user equipmentdevice to perform receive beam sweeping corresponding to the firsttransmit beam, and report second information to the network device, thesecond information identifying a receive beam that has a highest receivebeam signal strength based on the receive beam sweeping, and a secondsignal strength value of the receive beam. Operation 608 representsreceiving, by the network device, the second information from the userequipment device. Operation 610 represents determining, by the networkdevice, a future receive beam sweeping procedure based on a differencebetween the first signal strength value of the first transmit beam and asecond signal strength value of the receive beam.

Instructing the user equipment device to perform the transmit beamsweeping on the respective transmit beams can comprise configuring theuser equipment device for channel state information reference signalreporting with repetition turned off. Instructing the user equipmentdevice to perform the receive beam sweeping can comprise configuring theuser equipment device for channel state information reference signalreporting with repetition turned on.

Instructing the user equipment device to perform the transmit beamsweeping on the respective transmit beams can comprise transmitting afirst reference signal comprising a first group of symbols to the userequipment device, wherein respective symbols of the first group ofsymbols correspond to the respective transmit beams. Instructing theuser equipment device to perform the receive beam sweeping can comprisetransmitting a second reference signal comprising a second group ofsymbols corresponding to the first transmit beam.

Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure can comprisedetermining a reference signal density corresponding to a subsequentreceive beam sweeping operation by the user equipment device after thereceive beam sweeping. Determining the future receive beam sweepingprocedure can comprise determining a periodicity for performance ofsubsequent receive beam sweeping after the receive beam sweeping.

Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure can be based on aquality of service indication of an active packet data protocol contextassociated with the user equipment device. Determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure can be based on a buffer indicationassociated with the user equipment device.

Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure can comprisedetermining at least one of a first periodicity for performance ofreceive beam sweeping based on a quality of service indication of anactive packet data protocol context associated with the user equipmentdevice, and/or a second periodicity for performance of receive beamsweeping based on a buffer indication associated with the user equipmentdevice. Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure cancomprise determining a number of orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing symbols to configure a non-zero power-channel stateinformation-reference signal.

One or more example aspects are represented in FIG. 7, and cancorrespond to a network device comprising a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,facilitate performance of operations and/or components. Exampleoperations comprise operation 702, which represents transmitting a firstreference signal comprising a first group of symbols to a user equipmentdevice, wherein respective symbols of the first group of symbolscorrespond to respective transmit beams, and wherein the first referencesignal comprises a first indication to the user equipment device not toperform receive beam sweeping. Operation 704 represents, in response tothe transmitting of the first reference signal, receiving a firstmeasurement report from the user equipment device identifying a firsttransmit beam of the respective transmit beams that has at least a firstthreshold signal strength. Operation 706 represents transmitting asecond reference signal comprising a second group of symbolscorresponding to the first transmit beam, and wherein the secondreference signal comprises a second indication to the user equipmentdevice to perform the receive beam sweeping. Operation 708 represents,in response to the transmitting of the second reference signal,receiving a second measurement report from the user equipment deviceidentifying a first receive beam that has at least a second thresholdsignal strength of receive beams swept by the user equipment device.Operation 710 represents comparing a first signal strength of the firsttransmit beam to a second signal strength of the second receive beam.Operation 712 represents, based on the comparing, determining areference signal density associated with the user equipment device.

Further operations can comprise determining a periodicity forperformance of the receive beam sweeping based on a difference betweenthe first threshold signal strength and the second threshold signalstrength. Further operations can comprise determining a periodicity forperformance of the receive beam sweeping based on a quality of serviceindication of an active packet data protocol context associated with theuser equipment device. Further operations can comprise determining aperiodicity for performance of the receive beam sweeping based on abuffer indication associated with the user equipment device. Furtheroperations can comprise determining a number of symbols in a thirdreference signal based on the comparing of the first threshold signalstrength and the threshold second signal strength.

One or more aspects, such as implemented in a machine-readable storagemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, are represented in FIG.8. Example operations comprise operation 802, which representstransmitting a first reference signal comprising a first group ofsymbols to a user equipment device, wherein respective symbols of thefirst group of symbols correspond to the respective transmit beams, andinstructing the user equipment device to perform transmit beam sweepingon the respective transmit beams and report first information to thenetwork device identifying a first transmit beam of the respectivetransmit beams that has a highest transmit beam signal strength based onthe transmit beam sweeping, and a first signal strength value of thefirst transmit beam. Operation 804 represents receiving the firstinformation from the user equipment device. Operation 806 representstransmitting a second reference signal comprising a second group ofsymbols corresponding to the first transmit beam to the user equipmentdevice, and instructing the user equipment device to perform receivebeam sweeping based on the first transmit beam, and report secondinformation to the network device identifying a receive beam that has ahighest signal strength based on the receive beam sweeping, and a secondsignal strength value of the receive beam. Operation 808 representsreceiving the second information from the user equipment device.Operation 810 represents and determining a future receive beam sweepingprocedure based on a difference between the first signal strength valueof the first transmit beam and the second signal strength value of thereceive beam.

Transmitting the first reference signal can configure the user equipmentdevice for channel state information reference signal reporting withrepetition turned off, and transmitting the second reference signal canconfigure the user equipment device for channel state informationreference signal reporting with repetition turned on.

Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure can comprisedetermining a periodicity for performance of subsequent receive beamsweeping after the receive beam sweeping based on the first transmitbeam. Determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure cancomprise determining at least one of: a first periodicity forperformance of receive beam sweeping based on a quality of serviceindication of an active packet data protocol context associated with theuser equipment device, and/or a second periodicity for performance ofreceive beam sweeping based on a buffer indication associated with theuser equipment device.

As can be seen, the technology described herein controls a userequipment to report transmit beam tuning (pre receive beam sweeping)signal strength (e.g., RSRP) and the post-receive beam tuning signalstrength (e.g., RSRP), which indicates the effectiveness of the receiverbeam tuning. The technology described herein controls a user equipmentto implement receive beam tuning, while still leaving user equipmentvendors the ability to implement proprietary beam sweeping techniques,e.g., to differentiate their products.

FIG. 9 presents an example embodiment 900 of a mobile network platform910 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform910 can include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 910 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 910includes CS gateway node(s) 912 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 940 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 960. Circuit switched gatewaynode(s) 912 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arisingfrom such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 912 can accessmobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 960; forinstance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR),which can reside in memory 930. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 912interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 918. Asan example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 912 can berealized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 912, PS gateway node(s) 918, and serving node(s) 916, isprovided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 910 for telecommunication. Mobile network platform 910can also include the MMEs, HS S/PCRFs, SGWs, and PGWs disclosed herein.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 918 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions caninclude traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 910, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 950,enterprise network(s) 970, and service network(s) 980, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 910 through PS gateway node(s) 918. It is to benoted that WANs 950 and enterprise network(s) 970 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) 917,packet-switched gateway node(s) 918 can generate packet data protocolcontexts when a data session is established; other data structures thatfacilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To thatend, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 918 can include a tunnel interface(e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (notshown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparatewireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment 900, wireless network platform 910 also includes servingnode(s) 916 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) 917, convey the various packetized flows of datastreams received through PS gateway node(s) 918. It is to be noted thatfor technology resource(s) 917 that rely primarily on CS communication,server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gatewaynode(s) 918; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part amobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, servingnode(s) 916 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)914 in wireless network platform 910 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can include add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 910. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 918 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 916 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 914 can include utilityserver(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 910 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 912and PS gateway node(s) 918 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 950 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 910 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as femto-cell network(s) (not shown) that enhancewireless service coverage within indoor confined spaces and offload RANresources in order to enhance subscriber service experience within ahome or business environment by way of UE 975.

It is to be noted that server(s) 914 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro networkplatform 910. To that end, the one or more processor can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 930, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 914 can include a content manager 915, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 900, memory 930 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 910. Other operationalinformation can include provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 910, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 930 can alsostore information from at least one of telephony network(s) 940, WAN950, enterprise network(s) 970, or SS7 network 960. In an aspect, memory930 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component oras a remotely connected memory store.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexample end-user device such as a user equipment) that can be a mobiledevice 1000 capable of connecting to a network in accordance with someembodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 1000 isillustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be amobile device, and that the mobile handset 1000 is merely illustrated toprovide context for the embodiments of the various embodiments describedherein. The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of an example of a suitable environment 1000 in which thevarious embodiments can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions embodied on amachine-readable storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the various embodiments also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 1000 includes a processor 1002 for controlling andprocessing all onboard operations and functions. A memory 1004interfaces to the processor 1002 for storage of data and one or moreapplications 1006 (e.g., a video player software, user feedbackcomponent software, etc.). Other applications can include voicerecognition of predetermined voice commands that facilitate initiationof the user feedback signals. The applications 1006 can be stored in thememory 1004 and/or in a firmware 1008, and executed by the processor1002 from either or both the memory 1004 or/and the firmware 1008. Thefirmware 1008 can also store startup code for execution in initializingthe handset 1000. A communications component 1010 interfaces to theprocessor 1002 to facilitate wired/wireless communication with externalsystems, e.g., cellular networks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, thecommunications component 1010 can also include a suitable cellulartransceiver 1011 (e.g., a GSM transceiver) and/or an unlicensedtransceiver 1013 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax) for corresponding signalcommunications. The handset 1000 can be a device such as a cellulartelephone, a PDA with mobile communications capabilities, andmessaging-centric devices. The communications component 1010 alsofacilitates communications reception from terrestrial radio networks(e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, and Internet-basedradio services networks.

The handset 1000 includes a display 1012 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 1012 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 1012 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface1014 is provided in communication with the processor 1002 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 1000, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 1016, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 1016 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 1000 can include a slot interface 1018 for accommodating aSIC (Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a cardSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 1020, and interfacingthe SIM card 1020 with the processor 1002. However, it is to beappreciated that the SIM card 1020 can be manufactured into the handset1000, and updated by downloading data and software.

The handset 1000 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 1010 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 1022 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 1022can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 1000 also includes a power source 1024 in the formof batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 1024 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 1026.

The handset 1000 can also include a video component 1030 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 1030 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 1032 facilitates geographically locating the handset 1000. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 1034facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 1034 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 1034 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 1006, a hysteresis component 1036facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 1038 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 1038 when the Wi-Fi transceiver1013 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 1040 enablesthe handset 1000 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriberwith the SIP registrar server. The applications 1006 can also include aclient 1042 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play andstore of multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 1000, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 1013 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 1000. The handset 1000 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1100 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 116, GNB 202, etc.) may contain components as described inFIG. 11. The computer 1100 can provide networking and communicationcapabilities between a wired or wireless communication network and aserver and/or communication device. In order to provide additionalcontext for various aspects thereof, FIG. 1 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment in which the various aspects of the embodimentscan be implemented to facilitate the establishment of a transactionbetween an entity and a third party. While the description above is inthe general context of computer-executable instructions that can run onone or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments also can be implemented in combination with otherprogram modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the various methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 11, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1100, thecomputer 1100 including a processing unit 1104, a system memory 1106 anda system bus 1108. The system bus 1108 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1106 to the processingunit 1104. The processing unit 1104 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1104.

The system bus 1108 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1106includes read-only memory (ROM) 1127 and random access memory (RAM)1112. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1127 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1100, such as during start-up. The RAM 1112 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1100 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1114 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1114 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1116, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1118) and an optical disk drive 1120, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1122 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1114, magnetic diskdrive 1116 and optical disk drive 1120 can be connected to the systembus 1108 by a hard disk drive interface 1124, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1126 and an optical drive interface 1128, respectively. Theinterface 1124 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1100 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1100, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1112,including an operating system 1130, one or more application programs1132, other program modules 1134 and program data 1136. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1112. It is to be appreciated that the variousembodiments can be implemented with various commercially availableoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1100 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1138 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1140. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1104 through an input deviceinterface 1142 that is coupled to the system bus 1108, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1144 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1108 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1146. Inaddition to the monitor 1144, a computer 1100 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1100 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1148. The remotecomputer(s) 1148 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1150 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1152 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1154. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1100 isconnected to the local network 1152 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1156. The adapter 1156 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1152, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1156.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1100 can includea modem 1158, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1154, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1154, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1158, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1108 through the input device interface 1142. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1150. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 9 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 94 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprise asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein asapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by oneor more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout the subjectspecification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) amongthe terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to humanentities, associated devices, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. In addition, the terms “wirelessnetwork” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subjectapplication, when context wherein the term is utilized warrantsdistinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising, receiving, by networkequipment comprising a processor, from a user equipment: a first signalstrength value of a transmit beam that has at least a first thresholdtransmit beam signal strength based on a transmit beam sweeping ontransmit beams, and a second signal strength value of a receive beamthat has at least a second threshold receive beam signal strength basedon a receive beam sweeping corresponding to the transmit beam; anddetermining, by the network equipment, a future receive beam sweepingprocedure based on a difference between the first signal strength valueof the transmit beam and the second signal strength value of the receivebeam.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the future receivebeam sweeping procedure comprises determining a periodicity forperformance of subsequent receive beam sweeping after the receive beamsweeping.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure is further based on a quality of serviceindication of an active packet data protocol context associated with theuser equipment.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure is further based on a buffer indicationassociated with the user equipment.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining the future receive beam sweeping procedure comprisesdetermining at least one of: a first periodicity for performance of thereceive beam sweeping based on a quality of service indication of anactive packet data protocol context associated with the user equipment,or a second periodicity for the performance of the receive beam sweepingbased on a buffer indication associated with the user equipment.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the future receive beam sweepingprocedure comprises determining a number of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing symbols to configure a non-zero power-channelstate information-reference signal.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining the future receive beam sweeping procedure comprisesdetermining a reference signal density associated with the userequipment.
 8. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: obtaining, from a userequipment: a first signal strength value of a transmit beam that isgreater than at least a first threshold transmit beam signal strengthvalue based on a transmit beam sweeping on transmit beams, and a secondsignal strength value of a receive beam that is greater than at least asecond threshold receive beam signal strength value based on a receivebeam sweeping corresponding to the transmit beam; and determining afuture receive beam sweeping procedure based on a difference between thefirst signal strength value of the transmit beam and the second signalstrength value of the receive beam.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereindetermining the future receive beam sweeping procedure comprisesdetermining a periodicity for performance of subsequent receive beamsweeping after the receive beam sweeping.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure isfurther based on a quality of service indication of an active packetdata protocol context associated with the user equipment.
 11. The systemof claim 8, wherein determining the future receive beam sweepingprocedure is further based on a buffer indication associated with theuser equipment.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein determining thefuture receive beam sweeping procedure comprises determining at leastone of: a first periodicity for performance of the receive beam sweepingbased on a quality of service indication of an active packet dataprotocol context associated with the user equipment, or a secondperiodicity for the performance of the receive beam sweeping based on abuffer indication associated with the user equipment.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, wherein determining the future receive beam sweeping procedurecomprises determining a number of orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing symbols to configure a non-zero power-channel stateinformation-reference signal.
 14. The system of claim 8, whereindetermining the future receive beam sweeping procedure comprisesdetermining a reference signal density associated with the userequipment.
 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: receiving, from a user equipment:a first signal strength value of a transmit beam that has a highesttransmit beam signal strength based on a transmit beam sweeping ontransmit beams, and a second signal strength value of a receive beamthat has a highest receive beam signal strength based on a receive beamsweeping corresponding to the transmit beam; and determining a futurereceive beam sweeping procedure based on a difference between the firstsignal strength value of the transmit beam and the second signalstrength value of the receive beam.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure comprises determining a periodicity forperformance of subsequent receive beam sweeping after the receive beamsweeping.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15,wherein determining the future receive beam sweeping procedure isfurther based on a quality of service indication of an active packetdata protocol context associated with the user equipment.
 18. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determiningthe future receive beam sweeping procedure is further based on a bufferindication associated with the user equipment.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure comprises determining at least one of: afirst periodicity for performance of the receive beam sweeping based ona quality of service indication of an active packet data protocolcontext associated with the user equipment, or a second periodicity forthe performance of the receive beam sweeping based on a bufferindication associated with the user equipment.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining the futurereceive beam sweeping procedure comprises determining a number oforthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols to configure anon-zero power-channel state information-reference signal.